Description
Please note: This bike was previously in a museum collection and has never been started. As such, the seller will not be providing a cold start video.
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
When the new World Superbike Championship was introduced in 1988, Honda had an issue as its highly successful custom-built RVF750 factory endurance racer (not the RC45) wouldn’t be eligible to compete. So they set out to create a new top-shelf, street-legal, limited edition race bike, producing the minimum number of units required to satisfy homologation rules. Knowing it would only have to turn out a relatively small batch of machines, Soichiro Honda wanted to use the new model to demonstrate what its factory race department was capable of. The result was a no-expense-spared race-grade legend brimming with features previously reserved for track-only machinery. Japan called it the VFR750R, but the bike we fell in love with in America was named the RC30.
At the heart of the RC30 was a liquid-cooled, 748cc, 90-degree V4 engine with four valves per cylinder, gear-driven double-overhead cams, titanium connecting rods, forged two-ring pistons, an 11.0:1 compression ratio, and a “big bang” firing order. Paired with a six-speed transmission with a trick slipper clutch, the sophisticated V4 made 118 hp at 11,000 rpm and 55 ft-lbs of torque at 9,800rpm (unrestricted). The VFR750R had a best-in-class dry weight of 396 lbs and a wet weight of 488 lbs, which was almost 10 lbs less than the game-changing Suzuki GSX-R750. The VFR had a top speed of over 150mph, and thanks to an incredibly high gear ratio, could break 80 mph in first gear.
The RC30 got fully-adjustable Showa suspension fore and aft — 43mm telescopic forks up front and a mono-shock out back. Braking duties went to a pair of fully floating 310mm discs bit by four-piston Nissin calipers in the front and a single 220m unit pinched by a dual-pot caliper in the rear. The bike’s fork sliders also allowed the front calipers to remain in place during wheel changes, a feature that, like the ELF-designed single-sided swing-arm, was born out of competition for ultra-quick pit stops.
One legend that surrounds the iconic RC30 is that of the ‘Ghosts’. Rumored to be limited to 30 examples, these were finalized in Ross White and some of which were supplied to marshals at the 1987 Suzuka 8 Hour Race. From Old Bike Magazine Australia, “These bikes, which have become known as White Ghosts, were built to demonstrate only, albeit at speeds to keep up with the race field, and were supposedly in a lower degree of specification and tune to what became the customer and race models. However just how many of them made it onto the track at Suzuka is unclear, and some are believed to have been given to HRC customers around the world for promotional purposes.”
Manufactured December 1988, this example is VIN: RC302002055. The seller purchased the bike a year and a half ago from “Ex Holden stunt driver and Guinness book of records holder for the world’s fastest wheelie on a motorcycle, Robbie Bolger.” He continues, “1 of 8 machines originally delivered to Australia for a competition giveaway. Was on display at Phillip Island race circuit along with another Rothmans bike. Retains its original tag from the museum. Genuine Ghost as confirmed by colour code label under the rear seat cowl.”
The odometer shows 5.9 kilometers (3 miles). The seller states that they are push-only.
Maintenance:
The seller reports no recent maintenance and states, “Although never started, the engine has been turned over periodically to help maintain integrity of its components. Brakes have been released to avoid putting marks on the brake discs. Someone wishing to use the machine will need to perform some recommissioning.”
Modifications:
Rothmans livery.
Dealer decal.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on its original Bridgestone tires.
The sale includes one key, the original tool bag, the owner’s manual, and a Honda racing suit.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Mandurah, Australia this Honda is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
